Armenia has suspended its participation in the Russia-led Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said in an interview broadcast on French television on February 22.

Mr Pashinyan also said Azerbaijan, with which Armenia has fought two wars in the past three decades, had failed to comply with the principles needed to reach a lasting peace treaty and suggested that Azerbaijan was preparing to launch another attack.

Mr Pashinyan told France24 television that the CSTO treaty, led by Russia, had failed Armenia.

“The CSTO has not fulfilled its goals for Armenia, especially in 2021 and 2022. And we cannot let that go unnoticed,” Pashinyan said through an interpreter. “In practical terms, we have suspended our participation in this treaty for now. As for what happens next, we will see.”

Responding to a question about the possibility of closing the Russian military base in Armenia following the move to suspend participation in the CSTO, Prime Minister Pashinyan said that there is currently no discussion on this issue, and that it is subject to various treaties.

Mr Pashinyan has in recent months expressed discontent with Armenia’s long-standing relationship with Russia, saying Armenia can no longer rely on Russia to meet its defense needs. He has suggested that the Caucasus country’s CSTO membership is under consideration.

Other former Soviet members of the CSTO also include Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan .

Minh Duc (According to Reuters, TASS)